Mikel Arteta has revealed he doubted himself during the most difficult stretches of Arsenal’s title chase, admitting there were moments when he questioned whether someone else might need to come in and finish the job – before dismissing those thoughts with the most joyful two words of his managerial career.
“There were doubts. It was understanding that I was able to take them this far but maybe someone else has to come and do the final job. But thank god we have done it. I feel a lot of joy and a little bit of belief.”
Arsenal won the Premier League title in the most fitting fashion, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park on the final day of the season, with Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scoring either side of half-time before captain Martin Odegaard lifted the trophy in the Selhurst Park sunshine.
Arteta named a heavily rotated team with the Champions League final against PSG in Budapest next Saturday front of mind, with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel and David Raya among those rested.
Jesus broke the deadlock on 42 minutes, fizzing the ball past Dean Henderson after being set up by Gabriel Martinelli, before Madueke doubled the lead shortly after the restart, firing sweetly on the volley after Kai Havertz intelligently nodded down from a Martin Zubimendi corner.
Jean-Philippe Mateta headed a late consolation for Palace, but it could not dampen the celebrations.
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‘Look at the joy of all the people’
Arteta was overcome with emotion as he reflected on the scale of what had been achieved, and what it means to the club’s supporters.
“That was beautiful. Look at the joy of all of the people, they have been waiting for this for so long. We have had difficult moments along the way but it is all worth it when you see that kind of reaction. Now it is time to enjoy and take the manager hat off.”
He also spoke about the qualities that have defined this group throughout a season that began with Champions League ambitions and ended with both a domestic title and a European final to play.
“I think we showed an incredible connection, commitment and courage. Everything around us has fuelled our desire to do it.
“We have an incredible ownership. Through the tough times is when you really see people. They have incredible values and know the sport better than any of us. They have committed to the project that we have delivered. They have been instrumental.”
Kroenke: ‘If anyone deserves this, it’s this group’
Co-chairman Josh Kroenke, speaking at Selhurst Park amid the scenes of celebration, was visibly moved by what the moment meant both to the club and to its supporters.
“You can see, feel and hear what this means. All of the fans behind me are overcome with emotion after 22 years. If anyone deserves this, it’s this group.
“This club means the world to us. I think it took some people a few years to realise what that really meant but we have great people, players and coaches. We just have to continue providing the resources to do magical things like they did this season.
“It’s incredibly special. It’s a slower burner than our championships in the United States when you have the playoff system. The points system is a grind, credit to the staff, players and Mikel for keeping their heads on. They deserve it.”
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